“And on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your response to this crisis?” asked a reporter.

Trump replied, “I’d rate it a 10. I think we’ve done a great job. And it started with the fact that we kept [out] a very highly infected country [China] — despite all of the — even the professionals saying, ‘No, it’s too early to do that.'”

Trump took the moment to remind the public about the White House’s preventative measure to ban travelers from China. “We were very, very, early with respect to China. And we would have a whole different situation in this country if we didn’t do that.”

The president exuded confidence as he rolled out a new set of federal guidelines designed to keep the U.S. ahead of the projected coronavirus curve. “On the guidelines of the task force, the new modeling conducted by Dr. Birx, and our consultation with governors, we’ve made the decision to further toughen the guidelines and blunt the infection now. We’d much rather be ahead of the curve than behind it, and that’s what we are,” Trump said.

Trump urged states to try to obtain medical equipment on a state level, “If they’re able to get ventilators, respirators, if they’re able to get certain things without having to go through the longer process of federal government,” the president said. “If they can get them directly — it’s always going to be faster… And I’ve given them authorization to order directly.”

The recommendations are guidelines, not law, and will be reevaluated in 15 days. The blueprint comes out as a large number of cities and states have closed non-essential businesses, including gyms, theaters and bars – restaurants are required only to provide take-out and delivery – and congregations of over 10 are discouraged.

“We now need to appeal to every single American so that they can have their role in stopping the spread of this virus,” Trump said.

The president reminded the audience, “If everyone makes this change or these critical changes and sacrifices now, we will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus. And we’re going to have a big celebration all together.”

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